Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component

​​​​​​​​​The Proposal

The proposal relates to the redevelopment of the Tarraleah Hydropower Scheme and has multiple aspects. The following aspects related to the construction of the new conveyance infrastructure, which includes crushing of approximately 246,000 cubic metres of rock, are ​to be assessed by the EPA:

•  headrace pipeline, connected to the intake on Lake King William and tunnel;
•  arched headrace tunnel, approximately 12 km long;
•  access tunnels and portals to headrace and power tunnels;
•  surge tower; and
•  pumping station upgrades and additional pipeline.

The proposal component to be assessed by th​​​e EPA will be located around the Clarke Dam area of Lake King William to near Tarraleah Village. Components to the east and downstream involving the new hydropower pump station, new transmission lines and new switchyard are to be assessed by Central Highlands Council. ​​

The proponent has lodged a Permit Application with a supporting Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to Central Highlands Council.

The application was referred to the Board of the Environment Protection Authority (the Board) for assessment under the Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994 (EMPCA).

Development Application

This proposal was referred directly by Central Highlands Council to the Board of the EPA on 6 June 2024 as a development application (DA number 2024/23) and therefore a Notice Of Intent (NOI) was not required. 

​​​EIS Guid​​elines

EIS Guidelines have been prepared by the Board to assist the proponent to prepare the case for assessment. Based on the information contained in the Notice of Intent, the guidelines identify the key issues which are expected to be relevant to the assessment of the proposal.

Public comment was invited on the draft guidelines, the comment period has now closed. The final guidelines have been issued to the proponent.

​ Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - EIS Guidelines (PDF 444Kb)

Public Exhibition of Documentation

A copy of the permit application and all plans and other documentation submitted with the permit application (including the EIS) are available for public inspection and may be examined during normal​​ business hours at:

Central Highland Council Offices
19 Alexander Street 
BOTHWELL   TAS   7030 

&

6 Tarleton Street
HAMILTON   TAS   7140

For assistance in accessing a copy of the EIS, please contact:

Hydro Tasmania
Email: majorprojectsprogram@hydro.com.au
PH: 0457 237 453 ​

Public Representations

In accordance with s.57(5) of the Land Use Planning and Approvals Act 1993 (LUPAA), any person may make a representation relating to the permit application (including the EIS) from Monday 13th April 2026 to Monday 25th May 2026 in writing to:

The General Manager
Central Highlands Council
19 Alexander Street
BOTHWELL   TAS   7030

Or by emailing the General Manager at: development@centralhighlands.tas.gov.au

Please note that your correspondence may be publicly disclosed unless there is legitimate commercial, national security or environmental reason for confidentiality. If you would like your correspondence to remain confidential, please make a statement to that effect and indicate the basis for the request.

Environmental Impact Statement

The purpose of the EIS is to provide a source of information upon which interested individuals, groups, government agencies and the Board may consider the environmental impacts of the proposal.

The EIS was prepared by the proponent on the basis of the Project Specific Guidelines for preparation of an EIS which were provided by the Board.

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component -EIS (PDF 42Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix A (PDF 6Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix B (PDF 40Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix C (PDF 7Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix D (PDF 2Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix E (PDF 8Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix F (PDF 18Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix G (PDF 19Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix H (PDF 115Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix I (PDF 2Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix J (PDF 6Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix K (PDF 2Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix L (PDF 11Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix M (PDF 181Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix M1 (PDF 21Mb)

 Hydro Tasmania, Tarraleah Redevelopment Project, Western and Upstream Component - Appendix N (PDF 634Kb)